The winter weather won't give up here this year. Yesterday we got 1/4-1/2" of ice, which actually can be quite pretty. Unfortunately it can also cause lots of damage. But here are a few of the pretty pictures.....

Well, this one might not be so pretty, but if it melts soon it shouldn't hurt the semps.


This is my contorted hazelnut.


It's hard to really see how much ice is on this tree and the picture really doesn't do the beauty justice. But by looking at the hazelnut above you can imagine how heavy the ice is on this tree. The bottom branches are usually about 8 feet above the ground. Now they're touching the ground.


It never melted yesterday, and we're getting more ice now and it's supposed to keep up until 1:00 PM this afternoon with another 1/2" expected. Lots of trees have tipped over and the roots pulled right out of the ground. My parents got a large branch stuck through their roof, and many branches are down all over. In fact, it's kinda scary to drive around - you just hope nothing breaks off and falls on your vehicle. Our yard looks like somebody had a fight with crystal and ice pieces are covering everything. If the sun would ever come out it would be prettier yet.

Beautiful pics Chris, I hope that the semps are ok. I'm sad to hear of all those broken trees. Was there much damage done at your parents place?

I remember going for a new years day drive a couple of years ago. We headed up towards the mountains and found that there had been a freezing fog storm the night before, it looked amazing. I took some of my best ever photo's that day. Not because my photography skills are great, but everything was so beautiful it was impossible to take a bad shot!

My parents have a lot of huge branches down, but so far only the one branch through the roof and some wires torn off their house.

Frozen fog goes make for a gorgeous landscape!

That sounds bad enough! Fingers crossed that there's no more damage and that warmer temps come very soon

The photos are beautiful Chris, and that contorted hazelnut is stunning. Looks to have some age on it.
Be careful on your way to work, and hopefully there will be no more damage.

Yes Kate, that is plenty of damage at my parents house, but there's a lot worse damage around the area.

Lynn, the hazelnut is probably about 10 years old and it's awesome. I've never seen another one around here though. I'll be careful going to work.

Chris, do be careful. One of the reasons I left Michigan was the ice storms. I hate it. I cannot find one thing good about it.

Oh it can be beautiful but it does such damage and makes getting around terrible.

Stay safe.

Lynn, what are you doing up at that time of the morning?

The pictures are so beautiful. Ice storms are so scary, the roads must be brutal. Old man winter say good bye and go to sleep.

The roads were kept salted so driving is good. I agree Julia - about time for old man winter to give up for the year!

Time for some warmer weather.

We are going to get back to 50 today which is a nice thing, then 60 tomorrow and then the slide back down again.

That is to last through about Friday next week--- I better get busy and get a few things done today & tomorrow.

Hope you get a break soon too Chris....

I love that picture of your contorted hazelnut. My dad rooted me one of those by air layering it. They are so interesting.

Those are beautiful photos! I don't miss that weather! Agree with Marilyn, it was scary...although completely gorgeous! Please stay safe and warm, and I hope things warm up!
Love that Hazelnut! Clint sounds like you have "gardening" types for parents!
Cheers

Beautiful pictures Chris! We had a few ice storms this winter as well. They are very beautiful indeed. I love your hazelnut tree! It's so cute and does look like one of those old wise trees Stay safe and watch out for those idiot drivers. I hope that snow misses us tomorrow.

Me too Jackie!

Thanks everyone. I'm safe and all the ice is melted off the plants. Jackie, you've sure got that right about idiot drivers - they scare me more than anything. I really don't mind driving in crappy weather, I'm just afraid somebody else will run into me.

Clint, I've tried to start contorted hazelnuts several times, but haven't tried air laying. I will definitely give that method a try! They look their best in winter when you can see the contorted branches. In summer the leaves aren't the prettiest and they look a bit odd. But a very cool shrub indeed!

Chris - My dad rooted one and his rooted one outgrew the original. They propagate easily by air layering. He used a wooden box for the soil and removed a ring around the limb and applied rooting powder. He has done at least 7 or 8 of them.

I'd like to get the red tinted one. I think it's called 'Red Majestic'. It doesn't look as twisted but has nice color.

I haven't seen the red one - I'll have to Goggle it. Sounds nice!

Thanks for the info on how you Dad rooted it. I am going to give it a try this spring!

Chris do these change colors in the fall??